Collection contains [Walter J. Clark--home movies], a record of community activities and public spaces in and around Ellsworth, Maine, with some scenes of family activities and travel. The majority of the content depicts local events in Ellsworth, Maine, during the 1930s including fairs, parades, building construction and dedications, the Ellsworth fire of 1933, and prisoners shoveling snow as well as street scenes and pedestrians in town. Some reels show travel in Maine: Perry's Nut House of Belfast, Maine, and Admiral Peary's schooner "Bowdoin" at Bar Harbor in 1933. Other reels include travel outside the state including footage of Boston's 300th anniversary parade in 1930 and the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Mr. Clark's films include printed intertitles and a clip at the beginning of many reels showing Mr. Clark with a movie camera and the credit "Photography by Clark, The Printer, Ellsworth."
Reel 13 is Movie Queen, Ellsworth (1935), an Amateur Theatre Guild of Boston film directed by Mary Crowley. Sponsored by the Lions Club with a live stage show in the new Ellsworth city hall, followed by the 16mm film, starring Ella Robinson as "the movie queen." (Ellsworth American, June 5, 1935)

Biographical/Historical Notes

Walter J. Clark, Jr. was a printer in Ellsworth, Maine, who enjoyed documenting notable events and people in his area. He was active in community organizations and served as Hancock County treasurer for many years. Clark died in 1942. The collection was donated by his grandson, Stephen Ashley.

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